But Parramatta co-captain Tim Mannah says the significance of the first match against their former coach has not been a topic of discussion.

"It hasn't really been brought up. It's not really an issue," he said.

"We're professional athletes and for us every week's a big game.

"For us, it's just a matter of preparing for every game and worrying about our own backyard and making sure we're at our best come Saturday night."

Mannah said the Eels have taken to the NT after their first trial game in Alice Springs in February, with a crushing win against the Wests Tigers.

"They really embraced us when we played the trial game here and it's definitely a place that we're excited to play in, and we're hoping a big crowd can turn up barracking for us and making it a real home ground advantage," he said.

NRL crowds in Darwin have challenged those for AFL matches in the city since top-flight rugby league returned to play premiership matches in 2012 after a 17-year absence.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a relatively cool 21-degree minimum temperature for Saturday night's match but Mannah was not concerned about humidity that could make the ball greasy.

"We're not worried about the weather, it's more about the attitude you take going in," he said.